John McDonnell | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/john-mcdonnell
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Mon, 03 Aug 2015 00:38:48 GMT2015-08-03T00:38:48Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Ex-undercover officer reveals that covert police unit spied on trade union members - full statementhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/13/ex-undercover-officer-reveals-that-covert-police-unit-spied-on-trade-union-members-full-statement
<p>Whistleblower Peter Francis revealed last night that the undercover police unit he worked for gathered intelligence on members of at least five trade unions</p><p>Former undercover spy Peter Francis has revealed that a covert police unit that monitored political groups gathered intelligence on members of at least five trade unions.</p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/13/covert-police-unit-spied-on-trade-union-members-whistleblower-reveals">This here is the story</a> on his disclosure. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/gallery/2013/jun/23/peter-francis-undercover-police-spy-in-pictures">Peter Francis: the changing faces of an undercover police spy - in pictures</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/13/ex-undercover-officer-reveals-that-covert-police-unit-spied-on-trade-union-members-full-statement">Continue reading...</a>Undercover police and policingPoliceUK newsPeter FrancisLawSurveillanceProtestMetropolitan policePolice and crime commissionersEspionageTrade unionsLondonUK civil libertiesFirefightersCrimeJohn McDonnellTheresa MayConstruction industryFri, 13 Mar 2015 16:49:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/13/ex-undercover-officer-reveals-that-covert-police-unit-spied-on-trade-union-members-full-statementPhotograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianWhistleblower Peter Francis worked undercover for Scotland Yard’s Special Demonstration SquadPhotograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianWhistleblower Peter Francis worked undercover for Scotland Yard’s Special Demonstration SquadRob Evans2015-03-13T16:49:57ZCovert police unit spied on trade union members, whistleblower revealshttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/13/covert-police-unit-spied-on-trade-union-members-whistleblower-reveals
<p>Peter Francis, former member of an undercover Scotland Yard unit, discloses that he spied on members of five trade unions and apologises unreservedly</p><p>An undercover police unit that monitored political groups over 40 years gathered intelligence on members of at least five trade unions, a whistleblower has revealed. </p><p>Peter Francis, who spent four years undercover infiltrating political activists, has named five trade unions whose members he spied on. He said they were <a href="http://www.unison.org.uk/">Unison</a>, the <a href="http://www.fbu.org.uk/">Fire Brigades Union</a>, <a href="http://www.fbu.org.uk/">Communication Workers Union</a>, <a href="http://www.teachers.org.uk/node">National Union of Teachers</a>, and the <a href="http://www.nus.org.uk/">National Union of Students</a>.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/27/on-the-blacklist-building-firms-secret-information-on-workers">On the blacklist: how did the UK’s top building firms get secret information on their workers?</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/13/covert-police-unit-spied-on-trade-union-members-whistleblower-reveals">Continue reading...</a>Undercover police and policingPoliceUK newsPeter FrancisSurveillanceProtestUK civil libertiesLawFirefightersStudentsEducationTheresa MayTrade unionsTeachingCrimeJohn McDonnellFri, 13 Mar 2015 13:17:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/13/covert-police-unit-spied-on-trade-union-members-whistleblower-revealsPhotograph: Fiona Hanson/PALabour Party MP John McDonnell read out a statement last night in Parliament from whistleblower Peter Francis. PRESS ASSOCIATIONPhotograph: Fiona Hanson/PALabour Party MP John McDonnell read out a statement last night in Parliament from whistleblower Peter Francis. PRESS ASSOCIATIONRob Evans2015-03-13T13:17:05ZHeathrow protesters facing eviction breathe easier as bailiffs fail to appearhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/aug/15/heathrow-airport-protesters-eviction-bailiffs-fail-appear
About 200 campaigners against the airport's expansion gathered at their protest site to resist any attempt to remove them<p>Josh Halliday</p><p>Protesters campaigning against the expansion of Heathrow airport have faced down an attempt to evict them, forming a musical barricade in front of the greenbelt site in west London.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/aug/15/heathrow-airport-protesters-eviction-bailiffs-fail-appear">Continue reading...</a>Heathrow third runwayEnvironmentJohn McDonnellPoliticsLondonUK newsFri, 15 Aug 2014 14:27:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/aug/15/heathrow-airport-protesters-eviction-bailiffs-fail-appearStefan Wermuth/REUTERSA protest sign in Sipson, west London – a village that could be bulldozed if a third runway is built. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/REUTERSStefan Wermuth/REUTERSA protest sign in Sipson, west London – a village that could be bulldozed if a third runway is built. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/REUTERSJosh Halliday2014-08-15T14:27:57ZWestminster Abbey occupied in protest against cuts to disability care fundinghttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/28/occupy-westminster-disabled-people-against-cuts
Labour MP John McDonnell has supported the demonstration, saying that government actions have left people 'desperate'<p>Demonstrators have set up a camp in the grounds of Westminster Abbey to protest against cuts to financial support for disabled people. Members of disabled people against the cuts (Dpac) pitched tents and said they intended to occupy the green outside the doors of one of Westminster's most recognisable landmarks until 22 July. The protest is reminiscent of the occupation that sprang up at <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/oct/16/occupy-london-protest-second-day" title="Occupy St Paul's in 2011">St Paul's Cathedral in 2011</a>.</p><p>The dean of Westminster is expected to negotiate with the protesters on Saturday evening, after they claimed that he initially refused their request for permission to stay.</p><p>Disabled people occupy Westminster Abbey grounds in protest at Independent Living Fund closure <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/saveILF?src=hash">#saveILF</a> <a href="http://t.co/qsUZpPes1j">pic.twitter.com/qsUZpPes1j</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/28/occupy-westminster-disabled-people-against-cuts">Continue reading...</a>DisabilityJustin WelbyMetropolitan policeUK newsPoliticsSocietyJohn McDonnellSat, 28 Jun 2014 18:34:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/28/occupy-westminster-disabled-people-against-cutsStefan Rousseau/PAThe group has urged the church not to forcibly remove them from its grounds. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PAStefan Rousseau/PAThe group has urged the church not to forcibly remove them from its grounds. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PAKevin Rawlinson2014-06-28T18:34:34ZEsther Addley's diary: Could Peter Mandelson's Euston hovel explain his opposition to HS2?http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jan/29/esther-addley-diary-mandelson-euston-flat
'Flat near Euston' – also known as a Georgian house on Regent's Park<p>• What do The X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary, Boris Johnson's father Stanley and the Right Hon the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mandelson" title="">Lord Mandelson of Foy</a> have in common? Not a shared affection for the music of <a href="http://www.little-mix.com/gb/home" title="">Little Mix</a> (though who, truly, would be surprised) – no, we refer to the opposition of all three to the HS2 high-speed rail project. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/24/boris-johnson-father-popular-uprising-hs2" title="">Johnson and O'Leary both live close to the proposed route of the new line</a> in north London and attended a public meeting opposing it, <a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/mayors-father-on-collision-course-with-son-as-he-demands-axe-hs2-9082822.html" title="">the Evening Standard reported</a>, while Mandelson, who &quot;owns a flat near Euston&quot;, had made his views plain in a letter. Why so coy, Peter? We'd hardly describe the very grand late Georgian house on the edge of Regent's Park, bought by the noble lord for a modest &pound;7.6m in 2011, in such prosaic terms. As <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24661963" title="">Mandelson confessed to the Lords in a debate in October</a>, he had been in favour of high-speed rail while in government, but &quot;since then I have had a lot of time to think about the decision and to face the fact that no empirical case has been established for HS2&quot;. Odd that he wouldn't also mention its proximity to his own humble pied &agrave; terre.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jan/29/esther-addley-diary-mandelson-euston-flat">Continue reading...</a>Peter MandelsonDermot O'LearyHS2Rail transportMichael GoveJohn McDonnellWoody AllenPete SeegerBob DylanWoody GuthriePoliticsUK newsWed, 29 Jan 2014 23:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jan/29/esther-addley-diary-mandelson-euston-flatBloomberg/Getty ImagesPeter Mandelson's Euston gaff - little more than a cardboard box. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty ImagesBloomberg/Getty ImagesPeter Mandelson's Euston gaff - little more than a cardboard box. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty ImagesEsther Addley2014-01-29T23:00:00ZLetters: Order of debatehttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/15/order-of-debate
<p>I joined the Labour party when it was obvious Gordon Brown was going to lose the 2010 election, in order to have a vote on the next leader. I wanted to vote for John McDonnell, but in the end, I voted for Ed Miliband – which I hope I got right. Now John McDonnell invites people to suggest specialist speakers for his People's Parliament (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/12/join-us-create-peoples-parliament" title="">Letters</a>, 13 November). Monbiot is a good start. I would suggest also: Anne Power on housing; Anna Minton on urban planning and home ownership; Peter Melchett on the environment; Andrew Simms on alternative economics; Frances Crook on prison policy; David Nutt on drugs policy; and Jeremy Deller on culture, with a sideline in William Morris. Listen to them and society can only be better. They are all published writers and/or public figures. The shocking thing is that successive governments have stuck their fingers in their ears.<br /><strong>Judith Martin</strong><br /><em>Winchester, Hampshire</em></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/15/order-of-debate">Continue reading...</a>John McDonnellPoliticsHouse of CommonsEd MilibandFri, 15 Nov 2013 21:00:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/15/order-of-debateGuardian Staff2013-11-15T21:00:12ZDavid Laws vetoes plan to force schools to check immigrant status of pupilshttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/may/22/immigrant-status-checks-on-schoolchildren-vetoed
Liberal Democrat schools minister tells Michael Gove, the education secretary, the proposal is a 'non-flyer'<p>A <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/mar/27/ministers-immigration-crackdown-education-tourists" title="">proposal to require schools to check on the immigration status of their pupils</a> has been shelved after the Liberal Democrat schools minister David Laws decided the idea would be bureaucratic and difficult to implement.</p><p>In a sign of the Lib Dems' determination to assert themselves in the coalition, Laws told the education secretary Michael Gove the proposal was a &quot;non-flyer&quot;.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/may/22/immigrant-status-checks-on-schoolchildren-vetoed">Continue reading...</a>David LawsMichael GoveJohn McDonnellPoliticsImmigration and asylumUK newsChildrenSocietySchool admissionsSchoolsEducationWed, 22 May 2013 05:00:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/may/22/immigrant-status-checks-on-schoolchildren-vetoedJeff Moore/AFP/Getty ImagesDabvid Lwas on a visit to Mulberry girls' school in London in 2012. Photograph: Jeff Moore/AFP/Getty ImagesJeff Moore/AFP/Getty ImagesDabvid Lwas on a visit to Mulberry girls' school in London in 2012. Photograph: Jeff Moore/AFP/Getty ImagesNicholas Watt, chief political correspondent2013-05-22T05:00:49ZStudents vow to protest at University of London Union closurehttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/may/03/students-protest-london-union-closure
Collegiate council votes to take over union's headquarters, but student activists say they'll fight plans 'to the end'<p>Students have threatened to stage sit-ins and a demonstration in an attempt to overturn a decision to close the University of London Union, the largest student association of its kind in Europe.</p><p>The University of London's collegiate council has voted to take over the union's headquarters in Bloomsbury from next summer. The building has been used by aspiring student politicians, musicians, journalists and activists for decades and was a key focal point for protests against tuition fees and education cuts in 2010.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/may/03/students-protest-london-union-closure">Continue reading...</a>University of LondonStudent politicsHigher educationEducationStudentsLondonKen LivingstoneJohn McDonnellDiane AbbottUK newsFri, 03 May 2013 13:20:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/may/03/students-protest-london-union-closureGraeme Robertson/Graeme RobertsonThe University of London Union's president, Michael Chessum, said students would demonstrate against the closure. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonGraeme Robertson/Graeme RobertsonThe University of London Union's president, Michael Chessum, said students would demonstrate against the closure. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonJessica Shepherd, education correspondent2013-05-03T13:20:25ZLetters: Labour response to chancellor's cynical ployhttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/dec/09/labour-response-chancellor-cynical-ploy
<p>Polly Toynbee is right (<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/06/bold-labour-osborne-skivers-strivers" title="">Be bold, Labour, and expose the skivers v strivers lie</a>, 6 December). George Osborne bringing forward a bill to sanction the cuts in welfare benefits set out in the autumn statement is a crude, cynical attempt to lay a trap for Labour. If Labour votes against the bill or abstains, Osborne will claim it is on the side of the so-called skivers, while the Tories are the champions of the strivers. If it votes for the bill he will then cite this vote as support for his attack on benefits.</p><p>Like many rightwing politicians over the years, when their policies are demonstrably failing they reach for a scapegoat. It's often the poor, simply because they haven't the power to defend themselves. With courage, Labour could turn Osborne's cynical ploy into an opportunity to transform the debate on the issues of welfare, poverty, fairness in our society. This means making it clear now that we are not voting for this attack on the poorest, which includes cutting benefits to many people in work and struggling to survive on low pay. Nobody, especially ordinary working people, likes a skiver, but there are mechanisms that can deal with this, and if they need improving, well, let's have that debate. In reality it is increasingly obvious that it is the wealthy who are ripping us off with tax-dodging.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/dec/09/labour-response-chancellor-cynical-ploy">Continue reading...</a>WelfareLabourGeorge OsborneJohn McDonnellPoliticsPovertySocietyAutumn statement 2012UK newsSun, 09 Dec 2012 21:00:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/dec/09/labour-response-chancellor-cynical-ployGuardian Staff2012-12-09T21:00:10ZNo 10 adviser Lord Brittan linked with lobbying grouphttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jul/10/brittan-cameron-increase-skilled-foreigners
Former cabinet minister and ex-EU commissioner attended meetings of City lobbying group while PM's trade adviser<p>Tory grandee <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/aug/19/lord-brittan-government-trade-adviser" title="">Lord Brittan</a> has admitted he produced a white paper advocating allowing more skilled overseas workers to enter the UK while being an active member of a lobby group demanding the same policy. Brittan, formerly Margaret Thatcher's home secretary and later an EU commissioner, was brought into government by the coalition as an adviser tasked with &quot;removing trade barriers and stimulating investment&quot;. He stepped down from his job as vice chairman of Swiss bank UBS to mastermind the government's 2011 trade and investment white paper.</p><p>Brittan has admitted he attended two advisory council meetings of <a href="http://www.thecityuk.com/" title="">TheCityUK</a>, the powerful financial lobbying organisation he belongs to,while framing the future of British international trade for Cameron.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jul/10/brittan-cameron-increase-skilled-foreigners">Continue reading...</a>Financial sectorBusinessBankingGoldman SachsDavid CameronPoliticsUK newsEuropean UnionEuropeWorld newsJohn McDonnellIndiaTue, 10 Jul 2012 18:16:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jul/10/brittan-cameron-increase-skilled-foreignersBloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesLord Brittan produced a white paper for David Cameron calling for a rise in the number of skilled overseas worker while he was a member of a financial lobby group urging the same policy. Photograph: Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesLord Brittan produced a white paper for David Cameron calling for a rise in the number of skilled overseas worker while he was a member of a financial lobby group urging the same policy. Photograph: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesMelanie Newman2012-07-10T18:16:11ZTrain travel will worsen under government plans, MPs warnhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/may/08/train-travel-worse-government-plans
Network Rail breakup and funding curbs 'will result in higher fares, cuts in services and more crowded trains', says motion<p>Trains will become more crowded and expensive and services will be cut under government plans for the railways, MPs have warned.</p><p>More than 100 MPs have signed an early day motion criticising government proposals to break up Network Rail and curb funding.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/may/08/train-travel-worse-government-plans">Continue reading...</a>Rail transportTransport policyNetwork RailTransportRail faresConsumer affairsMoneyUK newsTravel & leisureBusinessJustine GreeningPoliticsJohn McDonnellTue, 08 May 2012 15:24:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/may/08/train-travel-worse-government-plansChris Radburn/PATrains will become more crowded thanks to loss of 'thousands of frontline workers' from the industry under government plans, say more the 100 MPs. Photograph: Chris Radburn/PAChris Radburn/PATrains will become more crowded thanks to loss of 'thousands of frontline workers' from the industry under government plans, say more the 100 MPs. Photograph: Chris Radburn/PAGwyn Topham, transport correspondent2012-05-08T15:24:01ZUN must do more to protect journalistshttp://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2012/mar/22/journalist-safety-unesco
<p>A crucial discussion will take place in Paris today about how best to protect journalists from being murdered.</p><p>Most importantly, it will touch on the sensitive issue of impunity - the failure of authorities to investigate the killing of journalists, which is seen as an encouragement to murderers.</p><p>&quot;The continuing high level of media deaths cries out for more action by international institutions such as the United Nations to force governments to pay more attention to the safety crisis facing journalists and media.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2012/mar/22/journalist-safety-unesco">Continue reading...</a>MediaJournalist safetyUnescoDon FosterJohn McDonnellSunday TimesMarie ColvinThu, 22 Mar 2012 08:30:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2012/mar/22/journalist-safety-unescoRoy Greenslade2012-03-22T08:30:16ZGangmasters watchdog told to cut 'red tape'http://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/mar/05/gangmasters-watchdog-defra-licensing-authority
Defra seeks to minimise inconvenience to employers of Gangmasters Licensing Authority's activities<p>Ministers want to ease regulation of gangmasters, just a few years after a crackdown on rogue employers who force vulnerable people to work in poor conditions for low pay.</p><p>The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up with support across the political spectrum after 23 cockle pickers drowned in the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/jun/20/ukcrime.humanrights" title="">rising tide in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, in 2004</a> in an incident that provoked outrage at the problem of unregulated labour gangs.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/mar/05/gangmasters-watchdog-defra-licensing-authority">Continue reading...</a>Employment lawFarmingFishingTrade unionsHuman traffickingJohn McDonnellFood safetyFood & drink industryUK newsLawPoliticsMon, 05 Mar 2012 14:31:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/mar/05/gangmasters-watchdog-defra-licensing-authorityDon Mcphee/GuardianChinese cocklers at work in Morecambe Bay in 2004. Photograph: Don Mcphee for the GuardianDon Mcphee/GuardianChinese cocklers at work in Morecambe Bay in 2004. Photograph: Don Mcphee for the GuardianJuliette Jowit2012-03-05T14:31:23ZLetters: Labour delusions and disquiet in the rankshttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jan/19/labour-delusions-disquiet-ranks
<p>Your leader (<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/17/labour-party-battling-bosses-editorial" title="">Labour party: Battling the bosses</a>, January 18) says the reaction of Len McCluskey and other public sector union leaders to changes in Labour's economic position confronts Ed Miliband with &quot;a Clause IV moment that he did not seek&quot;. This is not the case. If the failure to brief the unions in advance of Ed Balls's speech to the Fabians was not incompetence then it was provocation. The Labour leader and the shadow chancellor have engineered a public conflict with the unions that they believe will play well in target seats in the south of England.</p><p>But the Labour leadership is asking not only that the unions be publicly humiliated but that they continue paying for the privilege. As the GMB's readiness to reconsider its funding of the party demonstrates, this is dangerous and unrealistic. It is also a continuation of New Labour's neglect of the party's base – a strategy that landed Labour with 29% of the vote at the last election.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jan/19/labour-delusions-disquiet-ranks">Continue reading...</a>LabourPoliticsLen McCluskeyEd MilibandEd BallsTrade unionsAlan JohnsonPublic sector cutsSocietyPublic sector payConservativesLiberal DemocratsJohn McDonnellGreen partyCaroline LucasPublic sector careersThu, 19 Jan 2012 20:59:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jan/19/labour-delusions-disquiet-ranksGuardian Staff2012-01-19T20:59:00ZThe Riots - reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/nov/23/the-riots-tricycle-review
Tricycle Theatre, London<p>Once again, the theatre steals a march on officialdom. In the absence of any full public inquiry into the August riots, the Tricycle commissioned Gillian Slovo to create a verbatim piece on the events and their possible causes. And, if the result can hardly be expected to provide any definitive answers, it asks the right questions in a way that is clear, gripping and necessary.</p><p>The evening is in two distinct halves. In the first we get witness accounts, with film footage and street maps, of events in Tottenham on the night of 6 August. One thing emerges strongly: the failure of the police to inform Mark Duggan's family of either the facts or the circumstances of his shooting. This was the match that lit the bonfire.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/nov/23/the-riots-tricycle-review">Continue reading...</a>TheatreCultureStageTottenhamLondonUK newsDiane AbbottPoliticsMichael GoveJohn McDonnellWed, 23 Nov 2011 00:38:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/nov/23/the-riots-tricycle-reviewTristram Kenton for the GuardianAsking why: Kingsley Ben-Adir and Steve Toussaint in The Riots by Gillian Slovo and directed by Nicolas Kent at the Tricycle. Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the GuardianTristram Kenton for the GuardianA verbatim piece asking why: Kingsley Ben-Adir and Steve Toussaint in The Riots by Gillian Slovo and directed by Nicolas Kent at the Tricycle Theatre. Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the GuardianMichael Billington2011-11-23T00:38:02ZGovernment under fire over alleged BBC licence fee talks with News Corphttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/26/government-bbc-licence-discussions-murdoch
John McDonnell MP calls for more details about ministerial meetings with News Corporation before licence fee settlement<p>The government has been urged to look again at the BBC's funding and reveal the extent to which it was discussed with News Corporation before last year's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/25/bbc-licence-deal-consequences?INTCMP=SRCH" title="">shotgun licence fee settlement</a>.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/26/government-bbc-licence-discussions-murdoch">Continue reading...</a>BBC licence feeBBCJohn McDonnellEd VaizeyMediaLiberal-Conservative coalitionPoliticsNews CorporationMedia businessJames MurdochRupert MurdochConservativesUK newsBBC World ServiceJob lossesWed, 26 Oct 2011 15:13:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/26/government-bbc-licence-discussions-murdochFiona Hanson/PALabour MP John McDonnell has challenged the government to disclose details about alleged meetings with the Murdochs to discuss the BBC licence fee freeze. Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PAFiona Hanson/PALabour MP John McDonnell has challenged the government to disclose details about alleged meetings with the Murdochs to discuss the BBC licence fee freeze. Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PAJohn Plunkett2011-10-26T15:13:56ZDetention centre deaths spark police investigationshttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/aug/05/detention-centre-deaths-police-investigations
Safety fears raised after three detainees die and MP John McDonnell says system can't cope with number of people<p>Separate investigations into three deaths in immigration removal centres (IRC) in the past month have been launched by the police, amid growing concern about the treatment of detainees.</p><p>The spate of deaths has caused alarm among critics of the government's detention policy, who warn that the system is at &quot;breaking point&quot; with poor healthcare putting people's lives at risk.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/aug/05/detention-centre-deaths-police-investigations">Continue reading...</a>Immigration and asylumPre-charge detentionUK newsUK criminal justiceLawJohn McDonnellPoliticsFri, 05 Aug 2011 17:40:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/aug/05/detention-centre-deaths-police-investigationsChristopher ThomondDetention centres such as the one which housed Abdul Khan, above, have drawn criticism from MP John McDonnell. Photograph: Christopher ThomondChristopher ThomondDetention centres such as the one which housed Abdul Khan, above, have drawn criticism from MP John McDonnell. Photograph: Christopher ThomondDiane Taylor and Matthew Taylor2011-08-05T17:40:35ZHarriet Harman proposes rule to stop men-only Labour leadershiphttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/jun/24/harriet-harman-men-only-labour-leadership
Deputy leader says she submitted proposal because women 'are still a long way from being equal' in the Labour party<p></p><p>The deputy Labour leader, Harriet Harman, has proposed a rule change to ensure that the party's &quot;default position&quot; of men filling the leader and deputy leader role comes to an end.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/jun/24/harriet-harman-men-only-labour-leadership">Continue reading...</a>Harriet HarmanLabour party leadershipEd MilibandLabourDouglas AlexanderJohn McDonnellPoliticsUK newsFri, 24 Jun 2011 09:45:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/jun/24/harriet-harman-men-only-labour-leadershipGraham Turner/Guardian'An all-male leadership is not acceptable to the party of equality,' says Harriet Harman Photograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianGraham Turner/Guardian'An all-male leadership is not acceptable to the party of equality,' says Harriet Harman Photograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianHélène Mulholland and Patrick Wintour2011-06-24T09:45:00ZAbolish shadow cabinet elections? Don't do it, Ed Miliband | Michael Whitehttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2011/jun/24/shadow-cabinet-elections-ed-miliband
The Labour leader is doing his party, and the rest of us, a disservice in trying to dump a time-honoured tradition<p>Is Ed Miliband right to want to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jun/23/ed-miliband-end-shadow-cabinet-ballot" title="">abolish elections to Labour's shadow cabinet</a>? With the eurozone teetering on the brink of a financial meltdown that will badly hurt us all, and Glastonbury waist-deep in mud, it's not – I readily concede – a first-order problem today.</p><p>Can you name the entire shadow cabinet? No? Nor I. <a href="http://www.labour.org.uk/shadow-cabinet" title="">They're all here</a>, and even I am amazed why some people made the cut – though there are some smart people there whose names you may not know either. I will not damage their prospects by awarding them a gold star here.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2011/jun/24/shadow-cabinet-elections-ed-miliband">Continue reading...</a>Ed MilibandLabourPoliticsJohn McDonnellDavid CameronGordon BrownEd BallsFri, 24 Jun 2011 09:01:46 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2011/jun/24/shadow-cabinet-elections-ed-milibandSuzanne Plunkett/REUTERSEd Miliband wants to abolish elections to Labour's shadow cabinet. Photograph: Suzanne Plunkett/ReutersSuzanne Plunkett/REUTERSEd Miliband: loosen up Photograph: Suzanne Plunkett/REUTERSMichael White2011-06-24T09:01:46ZBritain has long been a poor venue for protest – Saturday won't change this | Simon Jenkinshttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/24/protest-trafalgar-square-tahrir-square
This outdated ritual of banners, pushchairs, linked hands and incantations won't turn Trafalgar into Tahrir<p>Trafalgar Square is not Tahrir Square. London is not Cairo. George Osborne's budget is not the repressive one-party diktat of Hosni Mubarak's Egypt but the product of a democratic parliament. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/22/anti-cuts-campaigners-trafalgar-square-tahrir" title="">The desire of certain Labour MPs and the organisers of Saturday's anti-cuts rally to identify themselves with &quot;recent protests in the Middle East and north Africa&quot;</a> is worse than silly. It dumbs down politics and insults those suffering under quasi-fascist regimes. John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn should find other ways of giving their Saturday demo some radical stardust.</p><p>The political form of the street demonstration has revived in states so degenerated as to have defaulted to mob rule. Social networks and internet publicity have eased the task of marshalling large numbers in confined spaces. This has been effective in two countries in north Africa, Tunisia and Egypt, where large crowds convey legitimacy lacking in other domestic political institutions. It has also been startlingly ineffective where dictators have shown determined opposition. It is hard to see much new here.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/24/protest-trafalgar-square-tahrir-square">Continue reading...</a>ProtestEgyptCuts and closuresStudentsJohn McDonnellLiberal-Conservative coalitionPoliticsPublic services policyPublic sector cutsWorld newsUK newsSocietyAfricaThu, 24 Mar 2011 19:41:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/24/protest-trafalgar-square-tahrir-squareSimon Jenkins2011-03-24T19:41:13Z